Liberty Falls State Recreation Site

🏆🏆🏆🏆 Alaska Wilderness — Spectacular waterfall on the Edgerton Highway — stunning cascading falls dropping through a narrow canyon of moss-covered rocks.

Visitor Information

About Liberty Falls

Liberty Falls State Recreation Site on the Edgerton Highway near Chitina features a beautiful waterfall cascading through a rocky gorge. The site provides camping near the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park entrance — the largest national park in the United States at 13.2 million acres. The falls are a scenic rest stop on the road to McCarthy and the Kennicott copper mines.

Liberty Falls State Recreation Site along the Edgerton Highway provides camping near a beautiful waterfall where Liberty Creek cascades through a narrow canyon. The site serves as a staging area for the 60-mile McCarthy Road into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park — America’s largest national park at 13.2 million acres (six times the size of Yellowstone). The surrounding Wrangell Mountains contain 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the United States.

Things to Do

Viewing Liberty Falls from the observation platform, camping (10 sites), fishing, and using as a base for exploring Wrangell-St. Elias — America’s largest national park. The drive to McCarthy is one of Alaska’s greatest adventures.

Viewing Liberty Falls, camping, using as a base for Wrangell-St. Elias exploration, fishing, wildlife watching for bears and moose, and preparing for the McCarthy Road adventure into America’s largest national park.

Insider Tips

Roadside wonder: Liberty Falls cascades 100+ feet beside the Edgerton Highway — one of the most accessible waterfalls in Alaska. Pro tip: The viewing platform is wheelchair-accessible. Side trip: Continue on the Edgerton Highway to McCarthy and the Kennecott Mines in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park — the largest national park in the US at 13.2 million acres.

Best Time to Visit

June-August: Peak waterfall flow and best road conditions to McCarthy. May: Snowmelt produces maximum waterfall volume. Fall: Autumn colors against the white cascade. Winter: The falls may partially freeze — spectacular ice formations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kennecott?

The Kennecott Copper Mines (1911-1938) in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park produced $200 million in copper. The ghost town’s massive red buildings stand against glaciers — one of Alaska’s most photogenic destinations. Accessible by rough road from Chitina.

Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Squirrel Creek State Recreation Site is within about an hour’s drive, and Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site is elsewhere in the state.

Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Alaska state parks online at alaskastateparks.reserveamerica.com.